Written Answers Wednesday 9 June 2010

Scottish Executive

Antisocial Behaviour

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to statistically evaluate the effectiveness of (a) its antisocial behaviour strategy and (b) the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 if it does not collect data centrally on the number of times the measures in the act have been used.

Fergus Ewing: Local partners have in place their own robust performance management systems to assess the impact of their efforts to reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB). In addition, there are national partner-led approaches such as the Scottish Policing Performance Framework, which collates information on ASB from all police forces.

  The Scottish Government focuses its attention on achieving national outcomes rather than monitoring the use of measures within the Act. The effort to achieve these outcomes is captured in the Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) prepared by the 32 Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) in Scotland. Action to reduce ASB is well represented in SOAs.

  In publishing Promoting Positive Outcomes, the new antisocial behaviour framework, the Scottish Government committed to provide an annual report to parliament on progress towards implementation. We are collaborating with partners to develop a new voluntary performance framework, aimed at supporting the work of CPPs to achieve national outcomes. Progress on this will be included in the first annual report which is due in the autumn.

Antisocial Behaviour

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an implementation group to oversee the delivery of the Promoting Positive Outcomes Implementation Plan has been established and, if so, what stakeholders are represented on it and how many times it has met.

Fergus Ewing: The delivery of the Promoting Positive Outcomes Implementation Plan is overseen by the National Community Safety Strategic Group (NCSSG). In addition to Scottish Government there are representatives from COSLA, SOLACE, ACPOS and CFOAS on this group, which meets twice a year.

  In addition to this, stakeholders from bodies across the community safety sector participate as and when required; as well as specific groups set up to consider particular issues.

Antisocial Behaviour

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason publication of its annual progress report on the Promoting Positive Outcomes framework has been delayed until autumn 2010.

Fergus Ewing: The Antisocial Behaviour Framework Implementation Plan  was published on 23 October 2009. The commitment given was to produce annual reports on the progress of implementation. The first of these will be published in autumn 2010.

Benefits

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold discussions with the UK Government regarding criticisms expressed in the Citizens Advice Bureau report, Not working: CAB evidence on the ESA work capability assessment.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to hold discussions with the UK Government regarding the Citizens Advice Scotland report Unfit for Purpose.

Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33775 on 7 June 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Birds

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued licences under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to cull birds of prey, as reported in the article "Licences granted to cull birds of prey" in The Sunday Times on 23 May 2010.

Roseanna Cunningham: The article refers to licences which can be issued to allow the control of predatory birds to prevent serious damage to livestock, under Section 16(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the livestock in this case being game birds.

  The Scottish Government has issued no licences under the aforesaid provisions.

Birds

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations have been consulted regarding the issuing of licences to cull birds of prey.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations it is consulting regarding the contents of its guidance on application for licences to control birds of prey.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has discussed the operation of a licensing regime, and the accompanying guidance, with the following organisations:

  British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scottish Raptor Study Groups, Scottish Rural Property Business Association, Scottish SPCA.

  In addition it is consulting with its statutory advisers Scottish Natural Heritage.

Defence

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the inclusion of National Development 9 in the National Planning Framework establishes the national need for a maritime decommissioning yard that could include the decommissioning of nuclear submarines and other vessels and, if so, what consultation was carried out on this with local communities.

Stewart Stevenson: The references to maritime construction and decommissioning in the statement of need for National Development 9 relate to the needs of the offshore energy industries. The National Planning Framework makes no reference to a need for decommissioning capacity in respect of any particular type of marine vessel.

  The consultation and engagement activities during the preparation of National Planning Framework 2 are set out in the National Planning Framework 2 Participation Statement. The Participation Statement is accompanied by a Conformity Report which sets out how the Scottish Government’s actions with regard to consultation and public involvement have conformed with or gone beyond the requirements of the Participation Statement.

  The Participation Statement can be found on the Scottish Government’s website:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/npf/Conformity.

Digital Technology

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all telephone exchange upgrades in rural areas, as announced by it on 9 December 2009, have been met and are on target.

John Swinney: As of 8 June, BT has confirmed that 55 of the 81 exchange upgrades included in this telephone exchange upgrade programme are now complete. BT has also confirmed that the programme is on track for completion by the end of November 2010.

  The dates announced by the Scottish Government on 9 December 2009 represented BT’s then indicative completion dates for each exchange.

  The status of the upgrade programme is updated regularly on the Scottish Government’s website, at the following link:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/BroadbandforScotland/SEBroadbandInitiatives/Announcements.

Education

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what legal rights a parent has to send his or her child to a mainstream rather than a special school.

Adam Ingram: Section 15 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 states that children should be educated in mainstream schools except in certain circumstances, namely:

  where such a placement would not be suited to the ability or aptitude of the child;

  where it would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education of pupils with whom the child would be educated, or

  where it would require unreasonable expenditure on the part of a local authority.

  Schedule 2 of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 enables the parents of a child with additional support needs to make a request for their child to attend any school under the management of an education authority or for their child to attend an independent special school or a grant-aided special school.

Education

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing the station stopping pattern for the new service between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Carstairs.

Stewart Stevenson: New hourly service commenced on the Shotts line in December.

  Detailed timetable work is now underway to test and prove the optimum timetable and stopping patterns for the new service between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Carstairs planned for introduction to the December 2013 timetable.

  The service proposals and precise timetabling arrangements for the new route are subject to the formalised rail industry timetable consultation process which will not conclude until 12 weeks before the December 2013 timetable change.

Energy

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) objections and (b) expressions of support have been received in relation to the application to construct and operate the Viking wind farm on Shetland.

Jim Mather: In relation to the application to construct and operate the Viking wind farm on Shetland, the Scottish Government have received to date:

  (a) 2,064 objections, and

  (b) 512 expressions of support.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to make a decision on the application for a new coal-fired power plant at Hunterston.

Jim Mather: Due to the size and complexity of large-scale s36 applications it is difficult to accurately predict processing timescales however, Scottish ministers have set an aspirational target to determine any new application submitted under s36 of the Electricity Act within nine months. Given this Scottish ministers would expect to be in a position to either make a determination or call a public inquiry some time in the second quarter of 2011.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fully assess the technical feasibility of future works required to deliver carbon capture and storage, including on-site works, transportation and long-term storage, when assessing applications for new thermal generating plant and whether it will provide an explanation for its position on this matter.

Jim Mather: The position of the Scottish Government on new thermal power stations was stated in the previous answer to question S3W-28764 on 9 November 2009.

  Any new thermal power station application will be subject to statutory consultation under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, when specialist advice from the Planning Authorities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage and other interested parties will be considered as part of the overall decision making process.

  Scottish ministers will then consider all material issues before determining each application in accordance with the relevant environmental and planning obligations.

  In respect of existing coal fuelled power stations, a rolling review of the technical and economic viability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be undertaken with the aim of taking a final view on retro-fitting by 2018.

  Officials are also working closely with regulators and DECC officials to assess the effectiveness of existing legislative regimes for the efficient processing of thermal applications and to ensure the careful and thorough consideration of the capture, transport and storage elements of the application.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fully assess the likely environmental effects of future works required to deliver carbon capture and storage, including on-site works, transportation and long-term storage, when assessing applications for new thermal generating plant and whether it will provide an explanation for its position on this matter.

Jim Mather: Our Thermal Guidance published on 10 March 2010, details how Scottish ministers will determine thermal power station applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. This guidance explains the various planning, environmental and health and safety permissions which developers must obtain in order to construct and operate a new thermal power station.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fully assess the likely carbon balance of future works required to deliver carbon capture and storage, including on-site works, transportation and long-term storage, when assessing applications for new thermal generating plant and whether it will provide an explanation for its position on this matter.

Jim Mather: As stated in the answer to question S3W-28764 on 9 November 2009, any new coal-fired station in Scotland would need to demonstrate carbon capture and storage on at least 300 megawatts of its net capacity from day one of operation and to retro-fit for those stations by no later than 2025. As the technology develops, we expect new coal stations built by 2020, to be 100% fitted with carbon capture and storage.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27218 by Jim Mather on 24 September 2009, whether it plans to gather information on the amount of coal (a) produced, (b) imported to or (c) exported from Scotland and whether it will provide an explanation for its position on this matter.

Jim Mather: Information on coal movements throughout the UK or Scotland are not held centrally. However, Information on the production of coal in Scotland can be found on the Coal Authority website at http://www.coal.gov.uk/publications/miningtechnology/index.cfm .

  Import and export figures are also available at UK level on the DECC website at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/source/coal/coal.aspx.

  The Scottish Government has no immediate plans to gather information on the amount of coal imported to or exported from Scotland.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the wider carbon implications of coal for energy production, including from (a) mechanised extraction, (b) disturbance to carbon-rich soils, (c) deforestation and (d) transportation.

Jim Mather: Estimates of emissions in Scotland resulting from a - d will be incorporated in the Scottish net emission account. Where emissions occur overseas, in so far as reasonably practicable, estimates of such emissions will be incorporated in the "Reports on emissions attributable to Scottish consumption of goods and services" as specified in section 37 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections and expressions of support have been received regarding the application to construct and operate a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston.

Jim Mather: Over 1,000 public representations opposing the proposal have already been received by the Scottish Government prior to the application itself being formally lodged. These representations will be considered alongside any further public representations subsequently received.

Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities local individuals, communities and other interested parties will have to comment on the application to construct and operate a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston.

Jim Mather: Ayrshire Power will place copies of the Environmental Statement in various prominent local locations (the local libraries in Fairlie, Largs, West Kilbride, Ardrossan, Dalry, Kilbirnie, Rothesay, Skelmorie, Milport and Saltcoats as well as North Ayrshire Council offices and the Scottish Government Library) and will place public notices in The Herald , the Scotsman , the Edinburgh Gazette , The Irvine Herald , The Irvine Times , Largs and Millport Weekly News , the Arran Banner and the Buteman .

  These notices will inform members of the public where they can view the application documentation and offer them 28 days to submit representations on the proposal directly to the Scottish Government.

  Once the first statutory consultee response is received (this being a response from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and North Ayrshire Council) it will be published on the Scottish Government website and on the Planning Register of North Ayrshire Council and the developer will then place further public notices offering members of the public a further 28 days to submit representations.

Energy

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact there has been between its officials and Forth Energy in relation to the proposed biomass plant at Leith docks.

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact there has been between its officials and Forth Energy in relation to the proposed biomass plant at Leith docks.

Jim Mather: Officials from the Scottish Governments Renewable Energy Division receive regular updates from Forth Energy on the status of their proposals and have provided guidance on procedures. Scottish Government officials also chair the Biomass Stakeholder Engagement Group made up of Forth Energy, Edinburgh City Council, Dundee City Council, Falkirk Council, Fife Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Energy

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people submitted views to its Energy Consents Unit following the environmental scoping study for the proposed biomass plant at Leith docks.

Jim Mather: Thirty-one organisations submitted comments on the proposed plant at Leith. The full Scottish Government Scoping Opinion incorporating these comments was published on 26 April 2010 and can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Infrastructure/Energy-Consents/Applications-Database/Biomass .

Energy

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed biomass plant at Leith docks if an application is submitted by Forth Energy in summer 2010.

Jim Mather: Due to the size and complexity of large-scale s36 applications it is difficult to accurately predict processing timescales however, Scottish ministers have set an aspirational target to determine any new application submitted under s36 of The Electricity Act within nine months. Given this Scottish ministers would expect to be in a position to either make a determination or call a Public Inquiry some time in the second quarter of 2011.

Environment

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the UK Government about its proposed white paper on nature; whether the paper is expected to address any matters affecting Scotland and, if so, what opportunities stakeholders in Scotland will have to comment on such matters.

Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government and UK Government officials are in regular contact on a wide range of matters relating to policy on the natural environment and we would expect to be involved in discussions about any new policy developments affecting Scottish interests. We understand that the scope and content of the proposed UK Government white paper on nature are still to be decided.

Fire Service

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been in implementing the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland.

Fergus Ewing: Work towards finalising the priorities and objectives for a revised Fire and Rescue Framework are closely related to ongoing discussions between national and local government on the implications of forthcoming funding adjustments in the public sector. Given the statutory role of the framework, it is important that any new burdens are balanced and achievable and it would be inappropriate to place additional burdens on the Fire and Rescue Services without knowing the future allocation of funding they will receive. Delivery of a revised framework will therefore follow the Spending Review process later this year.

Fire Service

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many firefighters have (a) commenced and (b) completed training in each year since 2006-07.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government funds and runs the Scottish Fire Services College at Gullane as a shared services facility for the benefit of staff from all eight of Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Services.

  Over the last four years the numbers completing the trainee firefighter programme are as follows:

  

Year
Whole-Time
Retained


2006-07
113
68


2007-08
97
36


2008-09
264
38


2009-10
115
54



  Only 10 firefighters commenced but did not complete the trainee firefighter programme over the period.

  In addition, 2,282 staff at all levels from the eight Fire and Rescue Services have completed a variety of specialist courses at the college.

  Firefighter development also takes place locally within the eight FRSs and is funded by them. Detailed statistical information about local training is not held centrally.

Flood Prevention

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what account it will take of local opposition before coming to a decision on whether to grant permission for the proposed biomass plant at Leith docks.

Jim Mather: Public representations are a material consideration when determining an application under s36 of The Electricity Act and all representations made by members of the public will be recorded and considered alongside comments from consultee bodies.

Flood Prevention

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all funding allocations that it has provided to Perth and Kinross Council to help with flood prevention measures since May 2007.

Roseanna Cunningham: In January 2008, Perth and Kinross Council was awarded additional flood prevention grant of £36,471 for the Weem Village Flood Prevention Scheme and £337,865 for the Milnathort Flood Prevention Scheme. These took onto account increased expenditure incurred on these schemes since the initial offers of grant were made in October 2005.

  From 1 April 2008, £126 million for flood prevention/coast protection was rolled-up into the General Capital Grant over the three years, 2008 to 2011. The distribution of this funding was agreed with COSLA to take into account known schemes in certain local authorities and the level of flood risk in every council area. The total support for capital for Perth and Kinross Council over the period 2008-11 is £62.069 million, which includes £28.787 million of General Capital Grant and £28.917 million of supported borrowing. It is the responsibility of Perth and Kinross Council to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.

Flood Prevention

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all funding allocations that it has provided to Angus Council to help with flood prevention measures since May 2007.

Roseanna Cunningham: In 2007-08, Angus Council did not have any flood prevention schemes eligible for the then ring-fenced flood prevention grant. From 1 April 2008, £126 million for flood prevention/coast protection was rolled-up into the General Capital Grant over the three years, 2008 to 2011. The distribution of this funding was agreed with COSLA to take into account known schemes in certain local authorities and the level of flood risk in every council area. The total support for capital for Angus Council over the period 2008-11 is £46.680 million, which includes £21.576 million of General Capital Grant and £22.428 million of supported borrowing. It is the responsibility of Angus Council to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.

Flood Prevention

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all funding allocations that it has provided to Stirling Council to help with flood prevention measures since May 2007.

Roseanna Cunningham: In 2007-08, Stirling Council did not have any flood prevention schemes eligible for the then ring-fenced flood prevention grant. From 1 April 2008, £126 million for flood prevention/coast protection was rolled-up into the General Capital Grant over the three years, 2008 to 2011. The distribution of this funding was agreed with COSLA to take into account known schemes in certain local authorities and the level of flood risk in every council area. The total support for capital for Stirling Council over the period 2008-11 is £38.72 million, which includes £17.527 million of General Capital Grant and £18.321 million of supported borrowing. It is the responsibility of Stirling Council to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.

Flood Prevention

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Clarence Drive, Glasgow, will be included in the Scottish Water programme for flooding prevention in the next spending round.

Stewart Stevenson: External Sewer flooding works in Clarence Drive, Glasgow, are not included in Scottish Water’s investment programme for the regulatory period 2010-15. Ministerial objectives for future regulatory periods have not yet been decided and will be set following public consultation.

Health

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing plans to meet the chairman and the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss the implications of the board’s decision to withdraw from community health and care partnerships.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Cabinet Secretary is being kept fully informed by the NHS board about developments in relation to the CHCPs in Glasgow City. It is ultimately a matter for the NHS board and Council to agree on the arrangements for delivering health and social care services across the City. The implications from the decision to move to a NHS CHP have been set out in papers to the NHS board and further detailed proposals for the practical application of the changes have still be developed and discussed by the NHS board at its next meeting in June 2010.

Health

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed the issue of the financial management, including potential overspends, of community health and care partnerships with representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Nicola Sturgeon: CHCPs are not separate statutory bodies and the Scottish Government does not directly performance manage them. Detailed financial management of NHS budgets (including under and over spends within CHCPs) is a matter for NHS boards. Last year Glasgow City CHCPs held £500 million of NHS budgets for all primary and community care services and there were no financial management issues.

Health

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has that community health and care partnerships have delivered improved health outcomes for the most disadvantaged communities of Glasgow.

Nicola Sturgeon: CHCPs, together with the NHS board, are delivering evidence-based interventions likely to improve people’s health in disadvantaged communities. These include a range of prevention and early intervention activities, such as the Keep Well programme of anticipatory health checks. Keep Well in Greater Glasgow and Clyde now extends across five CHCPs, and has provided nearly 20,000 health checks to those aged 45 to 64 living in the 15% most deprived areas according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason, and on what basis, it has altered obesity-in-children targets for NHS boards.

Shona Robison: The HEAT target (H3) was classed as "developmental" in its first year 2008-09. The intention was always to review the target in 2009-10 based on experience to date. Based on that experience we finalised agreed targets with NHS boards that are challenging but realistic.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether in altering NHS board targets for obesity in children it has also reduced the funding provided and, if not, what the new costings are per target-child recruited.

Shona Robison: The funding awarded to NHS boards for childhood obesity has not been reduced. The money was not allocated on a cost per child basis.

Health

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking with North Lanarkshire Council to improve collaboration between the NHS and the voluntary sector.

Nicola Sturgeon: We are keen to support the development of relationships at a local level between the third sector, local authorities, community planning partnerships (of which NHS boards are a statutory member) and other local partnerships so that the sector may play a significant role in the delivery of local services and the single outcome agreements.

  To this end we are supporting the development of third sector interfaces for each local authority area, such as Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL). The Chair of VANL sits on the North Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership and VANL is represented on the NHS Lanarkshire Public Partnership Forum. The interface is also currently participating in discussions with NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council regarding efficiencies and potential cost savings so as to minimise any potential impact within the voluntary and community sector.

  In addition, NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council work closely with the third sector on a number of other issues, including:

  Joint funding for the delivery of frontline services and services that underpin national and local priorities;

  Joint Partnership Agreements, and

  Promotion of the local voluntary sector.

Health

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to implement the scheme for the transfer of prisoners’ healthcare from the Scottish Prison Service to the NHS.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The transfer of prisoners’ healthcare from the Scottish Prison Service to the NHS is planned to commence in autumn 2011.

Health

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29129 by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 December 2009, whether consideration has now been given to undertaking a review of the clinical management of acute cholecystitis and, if not, whether it will give consideration to such a review.

Nicola Sturgeon: There are no current plans to conduct a review of acute cholecystitis. NHS boards are responsible for the provision of services for the populations they serve and it is for them to identify when such a review will take place.

Health

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29129 by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 December 2009, when a review of the clinical management of acute cholecystitis was last undertaken and what the outcome was.

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints regarding the treatment of acute cholecystitis have been submitted to each NHS board in the last two years for which records are available.

Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.

Health

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29129 by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 December 2009 and if a review of the clinical management of acute cholecystitis is not planned, what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards are responsible for the provision of services for the populations they serve and will prioritise their annual work plan accordingly.

Health

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of acute cholecystitis have been treated by each NHS board in the last two years for which records are available.

Nicola Sturgeon: The number of cases with a main diagnosis of acute cholecystitis treated by each NHS board in each of the last two calendar years is shown in the table.

  Number of Hospital Stays with a Main Diagnosis of Cholecystitis: Calendar Years 2008 and 2009 NHS Board of Treatment

  

NHS Board Of Treatment
Number of Stays 2008
Number of Stays 
2009


NHS Ayrshire and Arran 
254
227


NHS Borders
52
57


NHS Dumfries and Galloway 
31
47


NHS Fife 
135
165


NHS Forth Valley 
129
115


NHS Grampian
202
249


NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
517
538


NHS Highland
116
88


NHS Lanarkshire 
160
141


NHS Lothian 
381
353


NHS Orkney 
11
10


NHS Shetland 
5
12


NHS Tayside
230
249


NHS Western Isles 
2
1


Golden Jubilee National Hospital
22
10

Housing

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what publications have been issued by the Scottish Housing Regulator since it came into existence, broken down by publication date.

Alex Neil: I have asked Michael Cameron, Acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Housing Regulator came into operation on 1 April 2008. Since this date, we have published Regulation Plans for 52 Registered Social Landlords, 29 Inspection Reports and twenty-four Corporate and Financial Documents. We have published all of these on our website and some in hard copy.

  Full details of the individual Regulation Plans that we have issued are available on our website: http://www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/shr_plansbyyear.hcsp#TopOfPage.

  The publications that we have issued since 1 April 2008, broken down by publication date, are detailed in the following table:

  

Date of Publication
Publication Name


4 June 2010
ACS Online User Guide 2009-10


4 June 2010
Weslo Housing Management Inspection Report


13 May 2010
Corporate Plan 2010-11


4 May 2010
Regulation Plans 2010 (52 separate plans) 


30 April 2010
Data Matters


13 April 2010
SHR 28 Guidance Note


8 April 2010
West Dunbartonshire Council Inspection Report


1 April 2010
Number Crunching


1 April 2010
Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS)


1 April 2010
Summary Facts and Figures 2008-09


18 March 2010
Stirling Council Inspection Report 


3 March 2010
Annual Performance and Statistical Return (APSR) 2009-10 Forms & Guidance


8 February 2010
Argyll & Bute Council Inspection Report 


26 January 2010
Orkney Islands Council Inspection Report


22 January 2010
Argyll Community Housing Association Inspection Report 


7 January 2010
Annual Performance and Statistical Return (APSR) 2009-10 – Summary of changes


27 November 2009
RSLs and Homelessness: Thematic Report


8 October 2009
2008-09 Performance Statistics 


30 September 2009
SHR Annual Report


11 September 2009
Equalities Statement & Action Plan 


22 July 2009
Social Landlords in Scotland: Shaping up for improvement Report 


14 July 2009
Castle Rock Edinvar Inspection Report 


8 July 2009
Glasgow City Council Inspection Report 


2 July 2009
Berwickshire Housing Association Inspection Report 


30 June 2009
2009 Regulation Plans 


26 June 2009
Glasgow Housing Association Progress Audit Report 


19 June 2009
Bridgewater Housing Association Inspection Report 


9 June 2009
Financial Information Release -audited accounts of RSLs for the year ended 31 March 2008


5 May 2009
Loan Portfolio Return 2009


30 April 2009
New Guide to how we intervene 


21 April 2009
Five Year Financial Projections 2008-09


23 March 2009
Hebridean Housing Partnership Inspection Report 


09 March 2009
Dundee City Council Inspection Report 


21 January 2009
Aberdeenshire Council Inspection Report 


7 January 2009
Moray Council Inspection Report 


26 November 2008
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Inspection Report 


7 November 2008
Renfrewshire Council Inspection Report 


27 October 2008
Margaret Blackwood Inspection Report 


30 September 2008
Scottish Housing Regulator - Corporate Plan 2008-10


15 September 2008
Whiteinch & Scotstoun inspection report 


29 August 2008
Governance Matters Report


15 August 2008
Inverclyde Council inspection report 


13 August 2008
North Ayrshire Council inspection report 


8 August 2008
Tenants First Housing Co-operative inspection report 


30 July 2008
Govan Housing Association inspection report 


25 July 2008
Glen Oaks inspection report 


21 July 2008
Spire View inspection report


24 June 2008
East Lothian Council inspection report 


9 May 2008
Midlothian Council inspection report 


28 April 2008
Financial digest 2006-07 


15 April 2008
Langstane HA inspection report 


11 April 2008
Knowes HA inspection report 


11 April 2008
East Ayrshire Council inspection report

Housing

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each publication produced by the Scottish Housing Regulator since its inception.

Alex Neil: I have asked Michael Cameron, Acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Housing Regulator came into operation on 1 April 2008. Since this date, we have published Regulation Plans for 52 Registered Social Landlords on our website as well as statistical information. SHR does not incur any cost for the publication of this information.

  We have incurred a cost for the publications detailed in the following table:

  

Publication Name
Cost


ACHA Inspection Report 
£168


Argyll and Bute Inspection Report 
£128


Glasgow City Council Homelessness Inspection Report 
£120


Cairn Housing Association Inspection Report 
£135


Castle Rock Edinvar Inspection Report 
£133


Bridgewater inspection report 
£119


Berwickshire inspection report
£123


Hebridean Housing Partnership Inspection report
£119


Dundee City Council Inspection Report 
£164


Aberdeenshire inspection report 
£165


West Dunbartonshire Council
£143


Moray Council Inspection Report 
£143


Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Inspection Report
£106


West Dunbartonshire Council inspection report
£142


Margaret Blackwood Housing Association Inspection Report 
£144


Renfrewshire Council Inspection Report 
£210


Whiteinch & Scotstoun Housing Association inspection report
£106


North Ayrshire Council Inspection Report 
£119


Tenants First Housing Co-operative Inspection Report
£86


Inverclyde Inspection Report
£68


Glen Oaks Housing Association inspection report
£98


Spire View Housing Association inspection report 
£74


East Lothian Council re-inspection report
£91


Langstane Housing Association inspection report 
£75


Knowes Housing Association Inspection Report 
£56


East Ayrshire Council Inspection Report 
£219


SHR 08-09 Annual Report
£9,933


Social Landlords in Scotland: Shaping up for improvement
£627


A guide to how we intervene 
£147


RSLs in Scotland - Summary Facts and Figures 2007/08 
£981


SHR Corporate Plan 2008-10 and A Guide to How we Regulate 
£4,752


Governance Matters 
£1,063


Factsheet Whistle blowing & Complaints Form 
£643


Midlothian Council Inspection Report 
£93


Printing of Treasury Management - The Use of Derivatives & Scottish Housing Regulator Leaflet
£425


SHR Corporate Plan 2010 - 2011
£30


Total
£21,947

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the house completions under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in the first quarter of 2010 were off-the-shelf purchases from private developers.

Alex Neil: Of the 1,905 houses completed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in the first quarter of 2010, 360 were off the shelf purchases. These figures are published on the Scottish Government’s website. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NB-AHIP .

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the house completions under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in the first quarter of 2010 were conversions or rehabilitations.

Alex Neil: Of the 1,905 houses completed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in the first quarter of 2010, 211 were rehabilitations/conversions. These figures are published on the Scottish Government’s website. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NB-AHIP .

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 5,846 affordable housing completions in 2009-10 included off-the-shelf purchases from private developers.

Alex Neil: The 5,846 social sector new build completions in 2009-10 do not include off-the-shelf purchases from private developers.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 5,846 affordable housing completions in 2009-10 included rehabilitations and conversions.

Alex Neil: The 5,846 social sector new build completions in 2009-10 do not include rehabilitations and conversions.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many off-the-shelf housing purchases from private developers local authorities and housing associations made in 2009-10.

Alex Neil: Housing Associations completed 1,699 AHIP funded off-the-shelf purchases in 2009-10. This figure is published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NB-AHIP

  The figure for local authorities is not held centrally.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many rehabilitations or conversions of houses local authorities and housing associations carried out in 2009-10.

Alex Neil: Housing associations completed 442 AHIP funded rehabilitations / conversions in 2009-10. This figure is published on the Scottish Government website.

  .

  The figure for local authority housing is not held centrally.

Local Government

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s pursuit to integrate local public services into a single public authority model and whether it considers that this model could be applied in other areas.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government welcomes and encourages innovation, collaboration and shared services ventures to deliver more efficient and effective public services. We are aware of the work being undertaken by the Highlands and Islands Council to explore a range of delivery models including the single public authority model. We are committed to working with our public sector partners to identify a range of models for improving service delivery and to work through the challenges and opportunities they will bring to ensure the wider public sector benefits from collective expertise and lessons learned.

Looked After Children

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to prohibit moving looked-after children to bed and breakfast accommodation or homeless shelters at the age of 16.

Adam Ingram: All local authorities are expected to be good corporate parents to the young people in their care and when leaving care. As part of the leaving care process, all young people must be provided with a Pathway Plan which identifies their housing and other needs and the actions required to meet these. It is a matter for local authorities as corporate parents to make decisions in the best interests of their looked after young people and care leavers and they must do so in consultation with them, considering the full range of housing options available.

  In addition, the Scottish Government has established the Cross Sector Supported Accommodation Working Group which will provide recommendations to Government on the provision of supported accommodation for those at risk of homelessness including care leavers across Scotland by February 2011.

Looked After Children

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a duty on local authorities to provide advice, guidance and assistance to looked-after children up to the age of 19.

Adam Ingram: Section 29 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 sets out the main local authority responsibilities to young people who leave care after school age.

  Under Section 29 (1) of the act there is a duty to advise, guide and assist those under 19 unless the local authority is satisfied that the young person’s welfare does not require it.

Looked After Children

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children who are living with relatives have been (a) formally assessed and placed and (b) placed but not formally assessed by a local authority, broken down by local authority.

Adam Ingram: The Children Looked After Statistics 2008-09 contains statistics on children who have been formally assessed as needing to looked after by local authorities. Table 3.3 sets out the numbers of children placed with friends and relatives in each local authority as at 31 March 2009. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/22133946/55 .

  Details of how many children are living with friends and relatives outwith the statutory system are not held centrally.

Planning

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the concerns of local residents resulting from the recent decision by its reporter to allow consent for an incineration plant at Invergordon.

Stewart Stevenson: The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals has received written representations from local residents concerning this decision and will respond to each letter individually.

Prison Service

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in securing suitable sites for the building of HMP (a) Grampian, (b) Inverclyde and (c) Highland.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Prison Service (SPS), has identified a preferred site for HMP Grampian which is on the site of the existing HMP Peterhead. On 5 March 2010 SPS submitted a Pre-Application Consultation Screening Notice to Aberdeenshire Council to commence the planning application process.

  The SPS working in conjunction with Highland and Inverclyde Councils, has conducted site search exercises to identify possible sites for the proposed new prisons. Further work is underway to assess the suitability of these sites for the proposed developments.

Prison Service

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued contracts for the construction of HMP (a) Inverclyde and (b) Highland.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  No contracts have been issued for the construction of HMP Inverclyde and Highland.

Prison Service

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when construction will begin on HMP (a) Inverclyde and (b) Highland.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  Construction will commence following site acquisition and the completion of a procurement process for the appointment of a contractor to design and construct the prison.

Prison Service

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has set aside in the forthcoming financial year for the construction of HMP (a) Inverclyde, (b) Highland and (c) Grampian.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  No sums have been set aside in the current year for construction of HMP Inverclyde, Highland and Grampian.

Prison Service

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to improve staffing in relation to healthcare in the Scottish Prison Service.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  At present the Scottish Prison Service has no plans to increase the number of health care staff across the prison estate. Individual Prison Governors can amend their complement of health care staff to address changes in local service need and the Nurse Training and Learning Strategy provides an annual review of clinical staff training requirements. Nationally, health care staffing resources may change should service re-design occur post NHS integration in the autumn of 2011.

  SPS is fortunate to employ and contract health care staff and services that are committed and professional. Staffing and vacancy levels are currently both very satisfactory.

Public Sector Staff

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what procurement practices it is taking to ensure that the companies it awards contracts to pay their employees a living wage.

John Swinney: It is the responsibility of all contractors to ensure that they comply with all relevant legislation when bidding for public contracts. Whilst the terms and conditions that apply to contracts may vary depending upon the nature of the contract in question, for certain contracts the conditions makes specific reference to contractors complying with the national minimum wage.

  The Scottish Government recognises the scope that exists for procurement processes to deliver wider social benefits such as the creation of new training and employment opportunities through public contracts and has produced guidance encouraging the public sector to incorporate Community Benefit clauses into contracts where it is appropriate to do so.

Public Sector Staff

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of staff employed in non-departmental public bodies and government agencies for each year from May 2007 to May 2010.

John Swinney: Data on staff employed in non-departmental public bodies and government agencies are published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics and are available at the following web address:  http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=13615 .

  Figures for Scotland are in the excel spreadsheet "Civil Service Employment". The latest data published is for the fourth quarter of 2009.

Waterways

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to improve river basin district water environment.

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to improve the condition of rivers, lochs and estuaries.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government works continuously with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to improve the quality of Scotland’s water environment. SEPA published the first River Basin Management Plans for the Scotland and Solway Tweed River Basin Districts in December 2009, after approval by Scottish ministers. The plans set out a target of 97 percent of water bodies to achieve good or better quality by 2027, and the Scottish Government and SEPA will continue to work with Scotland’s authorities and public bodies to achieve this target.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Parliament Staff

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many of its employees earn more than an MSP’s salary.

Mike Pringle: Forty-one SPCB employees earn more than the basic MSP salary of £57,521. This equates to less than 8% of the total number of staff employed by the SPCB.